Published August 6, 2020
NORTH READING — The North Reading summer softball team suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of two strong opponents this past week. Their usually reliable hitting and strong defense was on hiatus as they lost early leads in both contests and could not mount comebacks.
On July 28, the Hornets traveled to Tewksbury to take on the 3-0 Redmen. After one complete inning, North Reading led 3-2 with freshman Keely Hannon in the circle for the first time this season. Hannon looked strong in the early innings mixing pitches and striking out five Tewksbury hitters entering in the 5th frame. The wheels fell off defensively for North Reading in the late innings, however.
The Hornets would commit four errors down the stretch allowing six unanswered runs to bring the score to 8-3. North Reading inched closer adding one run in the 7th inning but that was all they could generate, ultimately dropping their first league contest. Offensive production came from hits by junior Julia Howse, sophomores Abby Gerber and Gina Mulik with Maria Pierce adding a hit and a run scored.
Monday night welcomed St Mary’s of Lynn to the NRHS varsity softball field. St. Mary’s is a strong Division 3 softball program and it showed on the field. The difference in this matchup was also defense.
Both teams pitched effectively with Shea Hanson throwing four innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out five. Keely Hannon would throw the final three innings, allowing two earned runs also fanning five St. Mary’s hitters.
The Hornets held a 4-0 advantage into the 4th inning but defensive miscues would prove too much to overcome. Senior co-captain Elli DeCleene notched two hits and freshman Kristen Galvin added a single, an RBI triple and one run scored to pace the Hornet offense. Hannon would also add a hit and a run scored to help her own cause. Juniors Rachel Vardinski, Kaleigh Arington and Sarah Gerber chipped in with one hit apiece. North Reading now sits at 3-2 in the league standings.
